Challenge Maine

Maine

Next Race: 30 August 2015

DESCRIPTION

It’s almost impossible not to have fun at Old Orchard Beach. The low surf makes this a favorite spot for swimming, sunbathing, and making new friends. When the kids get hungry they can explore the boardwalk for pizza, french fries, hot dogs and cheeseburgers, or you can choose from the many family style restaurants around town. Try your luck on the video games, jump on a ride, treat yourself to an ice cream or a cold soda. Thrills, chills and frills-take your pick or do it all. Catering to tourists and families is a way of life in Old Orchard Beach. The beach, the arcades and amusement rides, nightly entertainment, auto races and harness racing are favorite activities in the Old Orchard Beach area. Old Orchard’s Pier is the center of the recreational activities. Extending nearly 500 feet over the Atlantic Ocean, the Pier features shops, fast food, and games of skill. During the summer many special events are planned to entertain and mesmerize everyone in the family festivals, fairs, free concerts, street dances, and fireworks most Thursday nights. Besides the Pier, the beachfront businesses offer gift and souvenir shops, restaurants, nightclubs, and arcades.

Old Orchard Beach is easy to reach by the major highways in Maine. Exits 36 and 42 off the Maine Turnpike (I-95) take you quickly into our popular seaside resort, as does the access from U.S.. Route 1. By air, we are serviced by the Portland Jetport, 13 miles north or through Boston, from all parts of the world. Local bus services directed to the center of town where you have easy access to all accommodations.

The swim will be a beach start in soft sand. After running into the water you will have to make your way throw some shallow water so practice your dolphin dives. The swim will be a rectangular point to point swim. You will have 1/4 mile run from swim exit to transition.

The bike course starts out flat and fast before taking riders into a series of rolling hills, giving them the chance to experience the beauty of the surrounding Maine farmland and countryside. Tall pine trees provide shade over much of the course, which winds through Saco, Dayton, Lyman, Waterboro, Hollis, and Old Orchard Beach. Most of the climbing is completed by the midway point with a long low grade climb on rte 5 (miles 10-15) and some rollers on South Waterboro Road (miles 19-25). The back half of the course consist of some fast flat/ downhill sections that bring you back into Saco. After that it’s a relatively flat and fast ride into T2.

The run course is an out-and-back, giving athletes the chance to finish out the race on a flat and fast course that includes sweeping views of the Scarborough Marsh and over a portion of the storied Eastern Trail. Athletes will cross the finish line in downtown Old Orchard Beach.